The current 8 percent limit allows cities and counties to levy a tax rate that will collect 8 percent more revenue from the same taxpayers taxed the previous year. If the limit is exceeded, citizens can petition for a public vote on the increase.

A relic of a bygone era of double-digit interest rates, the 8 percent limit gives too much leeway to local officials who habitually abuse taxpayers.

With interest rates now at or below 1 percent, an 8 percent limit is anything but effective in preventing massive local government growth.

According to the Legislative Budget Board, total property tax collections by localities are up 50 percent since 1992, after adjusting for population growth and inflation. In other words – after accounting for inflation – local governments overall have 50 percent more funding per resident today than they did just two decades ago.

Property tax burdens are also growing much faster than median household income. This means that local governments are growing faster than taxpayers’ ability to pay.

Consequently, property taxes in Texas have skyrocketed when compared to other states. Texans now pay the 5th highest property tax rates in the nation. But this picture appears even gloomier when home values are taken into account.

Help us pass meaningful property tax relief this session!

Share the message! Help us pass meaningful property tax relief this session!

Share

A native North Texan, he was raised in Denton County. Ross studied Economics at Arizona State University with an emphasis on Public Policy and U.S. Constitutional history. He enjoys speaking to liberty-minded Texans regarding property tax reform and the importance of civic engagement. Ross is an avid golfer, automotive enthusiast, and movie/music junkie. He serves as president of Empower Texans, the parent company of Texas Scorecard.